Globalization or Americanization?

     Globalization is the catch-all term for modern economic and sociopolitical norms, fermented by technology, communication, and transportation networks that facilitate trade and the transfer of ideas.  But how much of it has its origins in the U.S.A, and if it is upwards of 50%, would Americanization be a better term to describe the zeitgeist of our modern world?

    The short answer is yes, the vast majority of innovative products with global appeal have American origins, or at least were inspired by something American.  Not only do people like to buy our stuff, but the traditional incentive for immigrants attracted by our superior law system, the idealization that money grows on trees here, that there is so much prosperity and land that anyone can be happy, means that most of the free world world now yearns for an American way of life, which is arguably more important than the actual products we export.  It's our superior marketing talent (and volume) that stamps a lifestyle for the new age on all citizens of the world, from the Chilean mountains to the Australian outback.  The idea of Americanism actually uprooted globalization- for a truly globalized world means all countries spread goods and ideas equally- to the point where one country dominates by incorporating elements of all the others.

    It's the nature of investment, and the establishment of an identity when there isn't any.  Companies like Disney do a brilliant job of building an artificial mythology, stolen from the cultural vaults of other countries.  Every film they release takes a piece of someone else's culture and tattoos it onto ours, effectively marketing it for global distribution, so that what we have now are American versions of ancient, sacred stories to pacify unaware consumers around the world. The transformation from an authentic mythology rooted in a specific region, such as Aladdin in Arabia, may seem ominous until you realize this is what people want.  The modern world wants modern stories, fast and zesty, fun and accessible, for all to relate with it, which also serves to make them easier to market and distribute.

    It doesn't stop at movies either.  Our music, food, engineering, software, literature, etc., have all made strides around the world, so that what we have are a group of many cultures gravitating toward one.  No other country even comes close to our prestige and influence.  China could if it wanted, but its political order will not allow it.  India was too far behind to have a chance.  Britain and other European countries never had the resources in close proximity the way America did.  Only Japan seems capable of catching up with us, with potential revolutions in anime and video game adaptations.  Yet one doesn't see Japanese culture overtaking a place like sub-Saharan Africa the way American culture could.  It's because our people have roots everywhere, and nobody is limited from coming here.  They wouldn't know it, but the anti-immigrants in this country are truly the anti-Americans, for they want to deny America the very thing that made it great enough to grow uncontrollably alluring: its unprecedented diversity.